Some pre-election questions
I am a Hillary Clinton supporter, in the interest of full disclosure. I was just wondering a couple of things: First, if Donald Trump is able to bring back jobs, will “smart” employers be willing to pay union wages? Will Republicans still attempt to weaken unions, and would Trump fight them? If workers strike over low wages, will they be silenced? How would a conservative Supreme Court rule? Would company owners even be willing pay the minimum wage?
If Trump guts the Environmental Protection Agency, will coal come back to its former glory? Will he outlaw the natural gas industry, which has certainly hurt coal? How will technology be curtailed so more miners are hired? Will mine owners be willing to provide health care coverage and pensions? Many coal mines already have nonunion employees. Would any “smart” business want a union mine? Will anyone’s health suffer if the EPA is gutted?
The last thing I’m curious about is the Affordable Care Act. I noticed in the report of the Central Greene School District that employees will have to absorb more of the cost of health care coverage and have to pay a higher deductible. How much has this type of insurance increased in cost? This is not part of the Affordable Care Act, so why is it costing more?
Judith Cook
Waynesburg